Private Périgueux Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide

Pick up at your Hotel, Accommodation or dedicated meeting point in Périgueux

Today, we will come and pick you up directly at your Hotel or accommodation in Périgueux. Meet your certified tour guide who will go over the itinerary and program of this city tour with you. Ideally located in the center of Périgueux, the Périgueux Tourism office is the perfect departure point for an introduction to the history and culture of Périgueux for those of you who are staying in the outskirts of town or in a local B&B.

Begin your tour in the Saint Front Quarter

Your first stop, located just a few minutes away, will certainly be the Saint Front neighbourhood of Périgueux. This was the ancient quarter where one would find all the shops and artisans in medieval times. Today, this lively part of town still retains some beautiful private mansions with their Renaissance façades. Mostly pedestrian, stroll through the narrow streets and admire the ancient echoppes (old shops), courtyards, staircases and squares that give such a special atmosphere to the area.  

Visit the Saint Front Cathedral

Your walking tour of Périgueux will then move on to the heart of the City to visit the largest monument of the town, the Saint Front Cathedral. The style of the Cathedral, Roman-Byzantine, is quite unique in France. Built on a Greek-Cross Plan, a very rare feature in France, it is surmounted by 5 cupolas resembling Saint Mark in Venice. Erected in the 12th century, the building suffered during the war of religions and the French Revolution. In the 19th century the architect Paul Abadie (the architect of Paris’ Sacré Cœur) redesigned and rebuilt the Cathedral. From the original cathedral only the bell tower remains. Inside, be sure not to miss the remarkable baroque altarpiece made of oak and chestnut trees. Another highlight of the Cathedral are the beautiful cloisters that date back to the 12th and 16th centuries.

End the tour at the Vesunna Gallo Roman Museum

Your final stop on this tour will be at the Vesunna museum. This stunning museum was designed by famous French architect Jean Nouvel and opened its doors in July of 2003. The goal of the museum was to protect a 1st century domus (Roman townhouse) and in fact the architect has created a large glass umbrella that floats over the antique walls it protects. Follow your guide as you literally walk above the domus on walkways and discover the underfloor hypocaust system, admire decorated murals, mosaics and objects of the daily life.